Artio are an English rock band from Leeds, West Yorkshire, formed in 2018. The group consists of vocalist Rae Brazill, guitarist Rob Arkle, guitarist Jai Akhurst, and bassist Ieuan Jones. The band is self-produced and has released two studio albums, Babyface (2024) and Soul Rot (2026), along with several EPs.
History Artio was founded in 2018 by vocalist Rae Brazill and bassist Ieuan Jones, who met through Leeds’ local music scene. In 2019, guitarist Rob Arkle joined the lineup. The band's debut single, "All Things End," was released on 5 June 2020, followed by "Hell’s Door" in September that year. These tracks were later featured on their debut EP Stand Alone and Do Your Dance, released on 18 September 2020.
In 2021, the band issued a two-part EP series: Shapeshifter: As Above (June) and Shapeshifter: So Below (November), further developing their blend of rock and electronic textures.
Later that year, Artio connected with guitarist Jai Akhurst, who began playing as a session member before joining permanently in October 2022.
The band signed to Slam Dunk Records in 2022 and released their EP Pyrokid in 2023, which included the singles "Pyrokid" and "Product of My Own Design". which the band performed live on BBC Introducing in March 2023
2024: Babyface and touring Between July 2023 and January 2024, Artio released four singles from their debut album Babyface, earning more radio play on BBC Introducing. Each single was accompanied by a music video as part of a conceptual narrative. The lead single, "Sertraline" (featuring STRAIGHT GIRL), introduced recurring fictional characters such as Babyface, March, and Lycoris. Additional singles included "Wallflower," "Head in the Sand, Finger on the Trigger" (featuring FLASCH), and the title track, "Babyface."
The full Babyface album was released on 1 March 2024 via Slam Dunk Records. That year, Artio signed to CAA and joined multiple UK tours, supporting acts such as South Arcade, As December Falls, Lake Malice and Honey Revenge. They performed at several festivals including Slam Dunk Festival, 2000trees, and Burn It Down, where they opened the main stage.
2025/2026: Expanded touring and new material Artio featured in the Kerrang article The Sound Of 2025: The new artists breaking the boundaries of alternative music and in early 2025 toured the UK and mainland Europe with Vukovi and Unpeople, playing high-profile venues such as the O2 Forum Kentish Town and O2 Ritz Manchester.
On 18 April 2025, Artio featured on the track "Turn Back to Me" by As It Is, part of the reissue Never Happy, Ever After X.
In May 2025, the band released "Split Soul" as a standalone single, accompanied by a music and behind-the-scenes footage. The track featured as Alyx Holcombe's Track of the Week on BBC Introducing Rock and is set to feature in the soundtrack of the upcoming video game Carnival Bizarre, developed by Studio Kryptid
On 18 May 2025, the band announced their signing to Lab Records. The following day, they were featured on Blurryface Reborn, a tribute album to Twenty One Pilots' Blurryface issued by Rocksound. Artio's contribution was a cover of "Hometown," which incorporated ambient field recordings from Leeds
In the summer of 2025, Artio appeared at The Great Escape Festival, Radar Festival, Rock for People Download Festival and appeared on the BBC Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds Festival
On 25 August 2025 Artio announced they had re-recorded and remastered their first three EP's and released these as a new compilation entitled Shapeshifted via LAB records. This was followed by the release of three singles; "The Devil You Know" (featuring Cody Frost) on 17 September, "Let it Be a Void" on 29 October and "Seven Suns" (featuring Kahal) on 29 November 2025. All 3 singles have accompanying music videos and feature on their second album Soul Rot, released on 21 January 2026.
In June 2026 Artio were announced as a finalist for "Best UK Breakthrough Artist" by The Heavy Music Awards an award later won by President.
Musical style and themes Critics have categorised Artio's music as pop rock, electronic rock and alternative rock.
Their lyrics often explore themes such as identity, emotional and personal challenges of growth and change, recovering from trauma and queer rage. The band is known for creating conceptual and multimedia projects, notably "The Babyface Saga," which includes a comic book released alongside their 2024 album.
With the release of Soul Rot in 2026, Artio continued to develop a musical style incorporating melodic song writing, heavy breakdowns, and contrasting restrained passages. The album was self-produced and features vocal performances that emphasise emotional expression. The lyrics address themes including resistance to algorithm-driven creativity and online abuse, as well as identity, trans joy, vulnerability, and self-acceptance.
They have cited influences including Bring Me the Horizon, Pvris, Muse, Billie Eilish and Static Dress.
Members
Rae Brazill – lead vocals, lyrics (2018–present) Ieuan Jones – drums, production (2018–present) Rob Arkle – lead guitar (2019–present) Jai Akhurst – rhythm guitar (2022–present)
Discography
Albums +TitleAlbum detailsBabyface Released: 1 March 2024 Format: CD, Vinyl, Digital, Streaming Label: Slam Dunk RecordsShapeshiftedShapeshifted is a remaster and rerelease of Artio's first three EPs Re-released: 25 August 2025 Format: Digital, Streaming Label: LABSoul Rot Released 21 January 2026 Format: CD, Vinyl, Digital, Streaming Label: LAB
EPs +TitleDetailsStand Alone and Do Your Dance Released: 18 September 2020 Format: Digital, Streaming, CD Shapeshifter: As Above Released: 4 June 2021 Format: Digital, Streaming Shapeshifter: So Below Released: 12 November 2021 Format: Digital, Streaming Pyrokid Released: 5 May 2023 Format: Digital, Streaming Label: Slam Dunk Records
Selected singles +TitleYearAlbum"All Things End"2020Stand Alone and Do Your Dance"Hell's Door""Pyrokid"2022Pyrokid"Product of My Own Design"2023"Sertraline" feat. STRAIGHT GIRLBabyface"Wallflower""Head in the Sand, Finger on the Trigger" feat. FLASCH "Babyface"2024"Split Soul"2025Non-album single"The Devil You Know" (feat. Cody Frost)Soul Rot"Let it Be a Void""Seven Suns" (featuring Kahal)
Other appearances +Album TrackArtistDetailsNever Happy, Ever After X"Turn Back to Me" feat. ArtioAs It is Released: 18 April 2025 Format: Digital, Streaming, CD, LP Label: Slam Dunk RecordsBlurryface Reborn"Hometown"Various Announced: 19 May 2025 Format: CD Label: Rocksound MagazineDay of Iva"Day of Iva"Beauty School Announced: 14 June 2025 Format: Digital, Streaming Label: Slam Dunk Records
Non-music releases +TitleMediaThe Babyface Saga (2024)Comic Book
Tours
Headlining Soul Rot - UK (March 2026; six shows) Babyface "In Full" - UK (2024; two shows)
Supporting Yonaka - European Tour (2026; six shows) As It Is - Never Happy Ever Aftour - UK Tour (2025; five shows) Vukovi - European Tour (2025; fifteen shows) Honey Revenge - UK Tour (2024; three shows) Mothica - UK Tour (2024; three shows) Lake Malice - UK Tour (2024; four shows) As December Falls - UK Tour (2024; six shows)
References